Armenian Apostolic Churches Disagree On Political Loyalty

June 13, 1986|By Joanne Stanley and Carol Brzozowski, Staff Writers

It has never been easy for Armenians to keep religion and politics separate. Since Christianity was declared the official national religion of Armenia more than 1,600 years ago, church and politics have been closely intertwined.

Things are no different for the Armenians who have settled in the United States. Although the size of the Armenian population in South Florida is small, two Armenian Apostolic churches with different political philosophies are being established.

One has been in the planning stages for seven years and has a 400-member congregation, which includes 50 families from Palm Beach County. They have just started building a church in Coconut Creek. The other, organized about two months ago and christened St. Gregory the Illuminator Apostolic Church of Fort Lauderdale, has an estimated congregation of 75, of which about 20 families are from Palm Beach County.

``The difference between the churches does not exist at all religious-wise, it`s just political,`` said Alice Norian of Tamarac, who, although a member of the newer Armenian church, attends services at both because St. Gregory`s meets once a month and the other church meets every week.

The conflict between the two churches centers on the church hierarchy. Until 1933, the entire Armenian Church in America was under the jurisdiction of Soviet Armenia. Then, after a political dispute came to a head, it split in two.

One group, of which the Coconut Creek church is part, remained loyal to the ancient religion and follows a leader in Soviet Armenia. The other group, of which St. Gregory`s is part, respects the Soviet head but follows a leader in Lebanon.

``The only reason we stopped taking orders from the Communist regime is that we thought the archbishop there can`t be free in his thinking and decisions,`` said Vahram Danielian of Palm Beach Gardens, a member of the parish council for St. Gregory the Illuminator. ``The Communist government might put pressure on him and we want to be completely independent from political pressure. We like to be sure we are not getting guidance from the communist regime.``

``We represent the authentic Armenian Apostolic Church,`` said Zaven Arzoumanian of Pompano Beach, pastor of the Coconut Creek church. ``The head of the Armenian church is in Soviet Armenia. None of us believe in the Soviet system, but we cannot have two heads.``

Because the Coconut Creek church has a larger congregation and a full-time pastor, services take place weekly at the Aldersgate Methodist Church in Fort Lauderdale. The members hope to be in their own church by Easter.

The parish of St. Gregory the Illuminator is in its infancy and has no permanent pastor. The members depend on visiting pastors who conduct services once a month at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Fort Lauderdale. During the other weeks, meetings are held on Friday at the Kiwanis Club in Fort Lauderdale.

For being what Arzoumanian calls a ``dissident group,`` the splinter Lebanon- based church is quite a contender. Nationwide, there were 450,000 members of the Soviet-led group in 1979, the latest year figures were available. There were 350,000 members of the Lebanon-based group in 1983.

Members of both churches insist there is no conflict between the two, although Arzoumanian is emphatic in saying his is the only one, true church. ``Of course, I won`t reject them,`` Arzoumanian said. ``I do their christenings and weddings and visit their sick people in the hospital. The question is why don`t they respect me as they should?

``We`ll wait until they come back because there`s one church, one head, one organization.``

``We are not like the Protestants and Catholics fighting,`` Danielian said. ``Both churches are united in asking for our Armenian rights and our lands, which are occupied by Turkey. We both have suffered in the massacre.``

``When it comes to our rights, it doesn`t matter what church we go to,`` said his wife, Ossana, a convert from Roman Catholicism.

``It is very important for the Armenian community to stay organized so we can put a lot of political pressure on Turkey through Washington,`` Danielian added. ``We have differences, but we have one common enemy: Turkey.``

The often tragic history of the Armenians is perhaps their strongest unifying force. The ancient country of Armenia was located on land now occupied by the U.S.S.R., Turkey and Iran. Frequently overrun by neighboring countries, it finally was divided into Turkish and Russian sections. Then, in 1915, 1 to 2 million Armenians living in the Turkish area died at the hands of the Turkish government.

After a brief period of independence, Armenia was divided into two parts again, the smaller portion going to the U.S.S.R. and the rest reverting to Turkey.